leader FARM CREDIT OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
A LOOK INSIDE... Director Ronald Wetherington Inducted into Florida FFA Hall of Fame New Brooksville Office Open For Business Changing Face of Marketing & Digital Technology
FALL 2019
Greetings! While Florida’s landscapes varies drastically from other states, we welcome fall with open arms. As we embrace autumn, we begin to see cooler weather, holidays and fresh Florida foods. In this edition of the Leader, enjoy features highlighting the achievements of two members. Additionally, you will find Association news including the announcement of a new loan officer and the grand opening of our relocated Brooksville office. Enjoy,
R E G G I E H O LT
PRESIDENT AND CEO
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LEADER
is published quarterly for stockholders, directors and friends of Farm Credit of Central Florida.
PRESIDENT Reginald T. Holt BOARD OF DIRECTORS W. Rex Clonts, Jr., Chair Keith D. Mixon, Vice Chair Daniel T. Aprile Robert M. Behr Jenny R. Black C. Dennis Carlton, Sr. William L. Klinger Randy L. Larson David A. Mereness Randall E. Strode Ronald R. Wetherington
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 4 5 6 8 10 12
Director Ronald Wetherington Inducted into Florida FFA Hall of Fame Bob Behr wins Citrus Achievement Award Community News Association News Open for Business Changing Face of Marketing & Digital Technology
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EDITORS Johan Dam, Chief Digital Strategist and Marketing Officer Erin Mencer, Integrated Marketing Manager Shannon Fry, Marketing Coordinator Allyson Polston, Marketing Coordinator PUBLISHER AgFirst Farm Credit Bank DESIGNERS Joey Ayer Phereby Derrick Athina Eargle PRINTER Sun Solutions
Address changes, questions, comments or requests for copies of our financial reports should be directed to Farm Credit of Central Florida by writing P.O. Box 8009, Lakeland, FL 33802-8009 or calling 863-682-4117. Our quarterly financial report can also be obtained on our website: www.FarmCreditCFL.com
CITRUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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BROOKSVILLE OFFICE NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS
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DIRECTOR RON WETHERINGTON (THIRD FROM LEFT) SHOWCASING HIS FLORIDA FFA HALL OF FAME PLAQUE WITH (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS WILLIAM KLINGER, RANDY STRODE, CEO & PRESIDENT REGGIE HOLT, DIRECTOR JENNY BLACK, RETIRED DIRECTOR ROBBIE ROBERSON, AND DIRECTOR RANDY LARSON.
DIRECTOR RONALD WETHERINGTON INDUCTED INTO FLORIDA FFA HALL OF FAME A fourth generation Dover farmer, Farm Credit of Central Florida Director Ronald Wetherington is an alumnus of Turkey Creek High School and a proud alumnus and supporter of Florida FFA. As an active member, he completed livestock projects, raised crops, and volunteered in his community. In 1958, he earned the American FFA Degree, the highest degree achievable in the National FFA organization. He continued his support of Florida FFA and its members as the years passed, even serving the Florida FFA Foundation. While serving the foundation, he was fundamental in procuring funds needed for the construction of the FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. Once funds were secured, he put his efforts into ensuring the training center was just right. He dug the water line that connects the sporting clay facility and the main water system. He additionally played a large part in the annual Beast Feast and the sporting clays project that both raise funds for the foundation.
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At the very training center he fought for, he was inducted into the Florida FFA Hall of Fame. Director Wetherington cited the FFA Code of Ethics as what he lives by. With ideals such as “Develop my potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success,” it is clear that he has done just that. Now with four generations involved in FFA and a great-granddaughter already riding horses, he is excited to see the future direction that FFA leads his family. His granddaughter, Scarlet Jackson, is currently following his example by serving the Foundation as a secretary/treasurer on the Board of Trustees for the foundation as well as serving as the executive director for Florida FFA. Director Wetherington has left a legacy for Florida FFA and a path for others to continue. In addition to his service to Florida FFA and Farm Credit of Central Florida, he serves his church as a deacon. In the agriculture community, Director Wetherington has received many awards and honors, including the 2015 Hillsborough County Citizens Award, Plant City Agriculturalist of the Year, Honorary American FFA Degree, Florida Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award, and the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hillsborough Harvest Awards; and he was inducted into the Florida Strawberry Hall of Fame in 2005. Director Wetherington has diligently served Farm Credit of Central Florida’s board since May of 1993. His current term expires in 2020. We congratulate him on this marvelous achievement.
BEHR PRESENTED CITRUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2019 winner of Florida Grower magazine’s Citrus Achievement Award was Bob Behr, CEO of Florida Natural Growers, Director of Farm Credit of Central Florida and citrus grower. He was presented this award at the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference Banquet, which is hosted by Florida Citrus Mutual. Behr was recognized for his many leadership roles in the Florida citrus industry. Bob Behr was born in the Orlando area and attended the University of Florida. In 1981, he received his doctorate degree in agricultural economics. In 1987 he became chief economist at the Florida Department of Citrus. In 1994, Behr joined Florida’s Natural Growers, where he continues to enjoy a successful tenure. Florida’s Natural Growers is a juice processing cooperative that is located in Lake Wales. The cooperative is owned by 1,000 citrus growers and is the third-largest orange juice retailer. With Behr’s support and leadership, Florida’s Natural Growers set up an incentive program to encourage growers to plant new orange trees following huge losses due to citrus greening. The program loans members $10 per tree with the understanding that the grower would commit to selling new production to Florida’s Natural for 10 years. Once the 10 years is up, the loan is forgiven. Since the start of the Incentive program, there have been more than 1.4 million trees planted or scheduled to be planted. Behr has a passion for the citrus industry and has always been very supportive of growers. Through the years, Behr has discussed how the grocery store refrigerators have changed. “These days you see teas and lemonades, at the end of the day Florida’s Natural orange juice is and will continue to be our main product in the marketplace. We have to be willing to diversify and compete in that space if we are going to be viable for our customers.” While giving his speech at the Florida Citrus Mutual event, Behr said “I’m not an outgoing person. I’m pretty shy. I don’t like being the center of attention, and I am not fond of speaking in public like this.” “The success that I have had is from others who I have worked with over the years.” Behr recalled looking around the room seeing so many others
DIRECTOR BOB BEHR STANDING IN FRONT OF A CITRUS GROVE.
DIRECTOR BOB BEHR ACCEPTING FLORIDA GROWER MAGAZINE’S CITRUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.
that deserved Florida Grower Magazine’s Citrus Achievement Award. Behr discussed how important it is to be a grower first and then a manager. This has helped him understand the true challenges faced in the industry. Florida’s Natural encourages all managers to be involved in growing citrus. Having that experience helps when making management decisions. “With the knowledge Behr has in the citrus industry we are excited to use what he knows to benefit the citrus growers we have as customers,” Reggie Holt, Farm Credit of Central Florida CEO, said. Nothing has stopped Behr from being successful and doing what he is passionate about. Farm Credit of Central Florida commends Behr on the legacy he is leaving and for being a leader in the citrus industry.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS As a cooperative, Farm Credit believes in giving back to the communities in which we live and work. We believe that our youth are the future of agriculture and supporting them sets the future of the agriculture industry up for success. Congratulations to our 2019-2020 scholarship recipients!
Nicole Falk University of Florida Nicole Falk is an animal science student at the University of Florida with a specialization in food animal science. Nicole plans to graduate from the University of Florida in May of 2021. She has leadership and volunteer experience with multiple organizations, including UF Gator Collegiate Cattewomen and Block and Bridle. She has also served as secretary of the Florida State Fair Boer Goat Committee and served as the teaching assistant for her Intro to Animal Science course last spring. Congratulations Nicole on your achievements.
Sarah Birkmire University of Florida Sarah Birkmire is an environmental management student at the University of Florida. She currently works at the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center as a research assistant. Sarah has worked on entomological research, maintained and propagated plants in greenhouses, authored research reports and spoke at the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Workshop back in August. We wish you luck with your future endeavors Sarah.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
VISTE
FARM CREDIT OF CENTRAL FLORIDA EMPLOYEES (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) DESTINY, SHANNON, HEATHER, MARISELA, GARRETT, KERRIE, BAILEY, AND MIKKA VOLUNTEERING AT VISTE.
FARM CREDIT DONATES TIME TO VISTE Cooperative principle number seven is concern for community. Farm Credit supports the communities we serve in a variety of ways, including financial sponsorships for community events as well as offering employees the opportunity to volunteer with local organizations. Earlier this year, staff from Farm Credit of Central Florida volunteered at Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE). VISTE is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to elderly clients in Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Fort Meade. The assistance provided by VISTE helps provide elderly the opportunity to safely continue to live independently in their homes. VISTE is volunteer-driven and is successful because of the individuals who serve from schools, churches, civic groups, local business and corporations. VISTE provides elderly with resources that help them
stay safe and independent. Transportation, monthly commodity boxes, hot meals, and wheelchair services are just a few services offered to help the elderly community. Not only is VISTE volunteerdriven, but they are also locally funded. VISTE receives funds from the City of Lakeland, City of Bartow, GiveWell, United Way of Central Florida, and various others. A total of 25 staff members volunteered throughout the week serving in different areas, including food delivery and meal packaging. Staff members have volunteered at VISTE in the past, enjoyed the service opportunity, and requested we continue to serve this organization. Want to serve VISTE, too? VISTE is in need of plastic grocery bags for food delivery programs. For more information on VISTE and ways you can help, please visit http://viste.org/volunteer-at-viste.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
NEW HIRES Monique Brown Monique started at Farm Credit of Central Florida as a residential post closer. She is working out of our Plant City office. Before coming to Farm Credit, Monique worked for Sanoba Law Firm as a file opener/post closer. She is proud of her children and considers them an accomplishment. Monique is always positive and willing to step in wherever she is needed. In her spare time, she enjoys reading a good book, spending time with family and shopping.
Allie Williams Allie started at Farm Credit of Central Florida as a loan assistant II and then was promoted to commercial loan processor. She is working out of our Lakeland office. She was born and raised in Lakeland. Allie graduated from the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture (livestock production). Allie was an ag teacher at Lakeland Highlands Middle School, where she started the agriculture program and FFA chapter. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, Gator football, concerts and reading. Allie has visited 28 states in the last six years. She is always looking for new places to explore.
Erin Mencer Erin started at Farm Credit of Central Florida as the integrated marketing manager. She is working out of our Lakeland office. She was raised in Winter Haven and moved to Davenport nine years ago. Erin graduated from Warner University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is the first in her family to graduate with a college degree. Before Farm Credit, she worked for Southern Citrus Nurseries and Tree Defender working in both marketing and sales. In her spare time, she enjoys being creative, rehabbing old furniture, taking family vacations and doing projects around the house with her husband.
Rikki Bellinger Rikki started at Farm Credit of Central Florida as an administrative assistant. She is working out of our Apopka office. Rikki is from Altamonte Springs and attended Lake Brantley High School. She previously worked as a C.A. at a Chiropractic & Health and Wellness clinic. Her family is also involved in the agriculture industry and owns three greenhouses. In her spare time, she enjoys being by the water and being in the sun. She is excited to start her journey here at Farm Credit.
Cade Brewer
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Casey Foley
Cade star te d at Farm Cre dit of Central Florida as a credit analyst. He is working out of our Lakeland office. Cade was born in St. Louis but was raised in Oxford, Mississippi. He grew up in the agriculture industry raising cattle. He recently moved to Florida in June and worked as an IT recruiter for a staffing firm. Cade went to Mississippi State University and graduated with a degree in agribusiness. He is excited about being back in the agriculture industry. In his spare time, he enjoys binging television shows, hunting, cooking, reading, playing video games, and playing with his 8-month-old golden retriever puppy, Winnie.
Casey started at Farm Credit of Central Florida as a portfolio manager. She is working out of our Apopka office. She was born and raised in Massachusetts. Casey graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in resource economics. She came from Farm Credit East where she was a loan analyst/underwriter and tax preparer. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dog, trying new restaurants and lounging by the pool.
EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
1 Year
35 Years
Allyson Polston Corey Reichert Bailey Volden
Vonda Fulwood
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
NEW BROOKSVILLE LOAN OFFICER COREY REICHERT
We are excited to announce Brooksville’s new loan officer, Corey Reichert! He joined the Association in September 2018 as a credit analyst based in our Lakeland office. “Corey has gained tremendous experience in underwriting and agricultural business and small farm loans as well as gained crop insurance knowledge during our renewal periods for citrus and nursery,” Chief Sales Officer Mark McRae said of how Corey’s experiences at Farm Credit have prepared him for this role. “These experiences, coupled with his previous sales/ marketing experience since graduating from Florida Southern with his MBA, give Corey a great foundation to build upon in the LSB loan officer position.” As a member of Polk County’s Young Farmers and Ranchers, Corey has been developing his passion for agriculture and leadership skills that he will bring to the role. Corey looks forward to meeting you soon!
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OPEN FOR BUSINESS On June 28, we closed the door at our old Brooksville office, serving Hernando, Citrus, Pasco and Sumter counties, for the last time. On Monday, July 1, we officially opened our new office located across the street at the old Suntrust building in Sunrise Plaza. After months of hard work and a redesign of the space, we were excited for this move and the opportunities this new space would provide. “Our facilities manager, Dawn Tuten, worked hard to not only secure us the building, but to work with the architects as we renovated the space,” Reggie Holt, Farm Credit of Central Florida CEO, said. “She dedicated many hours to ensuring the new building had the right spaces for our employees and borrowers and that it had a modernized look.” We invited Farm Credit of Central Florida members along with members of the community to join us for our official grand opening celebration on Oct. 3. The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new office. Refreshments from Florida Cracker Kitchen, a locally owned Brooksville restaurant were available, along with door prizes and snow cones served by Human Resources Administrator Heather Peterson. “The grand opening allowed us to showcase our Brooksville office and invite local agricultural groups to host meetings at the new location,” Holt said of the success of the event. “The porch we used to host attendees will be available to local commodity groups to reserve. We are looking forward to the community enjoying the new office as much as we do.” If you have not already, we invite you to visit our Brooksville office located at 31050 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Florida 34602. We look forward to showing you our new office and serving your needs.
LOAN OFFICER COREY REICHERT, LOAN SPECIALIST MARY CAY SASSER, AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR JOY REGISTER POSE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GRAND OPENING RIBBON.
PRESIDENT & CEO REGGIE HOLT (CENTER) CUTS THE GRAND OPENING RIBBON WHILE (FRONT ROW FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) BROOKSVILLE-BASED LOAN OFFICER COREY REICHERT, CHAIR OF THE BOARD REX CLONTS, BROOKSVILLE LOAN SPECIALIST MARY CAY SASSER, BROOKVILLE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR JOY REGISTER, AND FACILITIES MANAGER DAWN TUTEN HOLD THE RIBBON. VARIOUS FARM CREDIT MEMBERS, STAFF, AND BROOKSVILLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS SURROUND THE GROUP.
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR JOY REGISTER (FRONT) ENJOYING REFRESHMENTS PREPARED BY FLORIDA CRACKER KITCHEN OF BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA.
PRESIDENT AND CEO REGGIE HOLT ADDRESSING ATTENDEES OF THE BROOKSVILLE BRANCH GRAND OPENING.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
CHANGING FACE OF MARKETING & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY The rise of digital technology over the last 20 years has significantly changed the way people interact with each other and conduct business. The results have been far reaching, and have led to many traditional business models being significantly disrupted or disappearing altogether. One area of our business that has, and will continue to face effects of these changes, is our Marketing Department. While Farm Credit has seen, and will continue to face the impacts of changing demographics and consumer preferences, we are not sitting by idly. We are actively working to ensure that we engage with our members in new ways to ensure that we meet their needs both today and into the future. Our commitment to success evidences our willingness to embrace new avenues of reaching existing and prospective members. Additionally, the creation of a new chief digital strategist and marketing officer position and the hiring of Erin Mencer as integrated marketing manager showcase the steps being taken in this direction. Johan Dam has been with Farm Credit for nine years, but has over 20 years of experience in the lending industry. Johan has served in a number of different roles at Farm Credit, but has focused on how to meet the needs of existing and prospective members while providing them with the high level of service that they expect. This past August, Johan accepted a new role as chief digital strategist and marketing officer. In this role, Johan will work closely with the marketing team to continue the focus on meeting member needs in this ever-evolving digital age.
Although new to Farm Credit, Erin Mencer has a background in both the agricultural industry and the marketing field. She brings over nine years’ experience in sales and marketing. This knowledge coupled with her Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Warner University has provided her with valuable skills. Erin previously held the position of sales and marketing manager for Southern Citrus Nurseries/Tree Defender in Dundee. Born and raised in Florida, Erin has a passion for the agricultural industry.
Farm Credit of Central Florida continues to look forward to the opportunity to meet any new challenges that arise head on, while also serving our members and fulfilling our mission to agriculture and rural Central Florida.
Connect with us on Social Media
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CROP INSURANCE: THE SAFETY NET YOU NEED Patronage: Crop insurance customers are members of a cooperative. This allows us to pay patronage dividends (profit sharing) to our eligible customers on their crop insurance policy. Coverage for your agribusiness loans: Crop insurance lowers production risks and helps protects against catastrophic losses. Confidentiality: Your confidentiality is of the upmost importance. With our top-of-theline cyber-security, your private information remains secure. Expertise in agricultural risk management: Simply put, we know agriculture. Our in-depth working knowledge of your operation allows us to craft an accurate policy that optimizes your risk protection.
Upcoming closing dates! • February 28th: Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) • April 15th: Citrus Fruit & Tree • May 1st: Nursery
Contact us today! Speak with your loan officer, or call Regina Thomas at 863.682.4117 Certain limitations, conditions and exclusions apply. Please refer to the policy for more details. The obligation to pay patronage is established by the Association’s bylaws and board resolutions. Distributions are made only if capital requirements are achieved. Only eligible borrowers can participate in the Patronage Refunds Program.
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WHAT IS FARM CREDIT EXPRESS? Farm Credit EXPRESS is a competitively priced equipment financing program supported by Farm Credit and available at your local dealer. Financing is available for farm equipment, irrigation systems, and equine and commodity trailers. Why Farm Credit EXPRESS? • Easy, on-the-spot financing • Allows you to take advantage of cash discounts from the manufacturer for new equipment • Used equipment programs • Decisions within minutes • Fixed-rate loan products • Leasing options • Service and support from a local lender • The opportunity to share in our profit-sharing patronage program
To find a dealer near you, visit farmcreditexpress.com
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Farm Credit of Central Florida P.O. Box 8009 Lakeland, FL 33802-8009
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
COLUMBIA SC PERMIT 1160